Maoists Release Abducted Policemen
Maoists have released two policemen abducted by them on Tuesday in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, said police.
“Yes, they have both returned,” said a senior district police officer.
The People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) kidnapped the duo – Ram Swarup Hela and Rajendra Hela – and later handed them over to the Maoists near Munidaha area in the district.
Both of them returned to Midnapore Wednesday morning and are being quizzed by senior police officers.
According to top Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao or Kishenji, Rajendra was released on humanitarian grounds because his wife had become ill and had been hospitalized.
Reports said that his release was delayed as the Maoists were engaged in a fierce exchange of fire with security forces who are working to flush out the left wing rebels from the Lalgarh belt in the district.
“Villagers caught the duo and later handed them over to the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). The Maoists are not responsible for the abduction, but since the people have grievances against them we kept them as prisoners of war (PoWs),” Kishenji was quoted as saying by IANS.
